Cregan helps to give derby bragging rights to Blackrock

Blackrock 22-17 Old Belvedere

Ulster captain Beth Cregan touched down twice as Blackrock College began their Energia All-Ireland League Women's Division title defence with a 22-17 bonus point win over at Stradbrook.

Tania Rosser's Belvedere team cancelled out tries from Cregan and Ella Durkan to lead 12-10 at half-time. Jemma Farrell converted Jess Keating's score before Elise O'Byrne-White finished off a prolonged attacking spell.

Both sides were missing the vast majority of their international players and despite Shannon Heapes squeezing over for a seven-pointer early on the restart, 'Belvo hit back once more when their captain Lesley Ring made it 17-all.

Blackrock skipper Hannah O'Connor missed a penalty but her leadership was vital as Cregan twisted out of Emma Tilly's tackle, 12 minutes from the end, to give new head coach Stan McDowell a winning start.

Blackrock were first to threaten when Ulster's Maeve Liston, playing at scrum half, trailed Koren Dunne's defence-splitting break, only for Belvedere to force a clearing penalty at the breakdown.

Belvedere had the better of the opening quarter, their ball handling and attacking shape causing problems for Blackrock who had to scramble hard to avoid conceding.

Jemma Farrell showed her experience at out-half, using her left boot to put 'Belvo in good positions. Young lock Caoimhe Guinan also stood out with some powerful carries.

Ireland Under-20 international Hannah Wilson agonisingly knocked on right on the Blackrock line in the 14th minute, with Amelia McFarland and Niamh Griffin doing really well to deny the 'Belvo prop.

A series of breakdown penalties and improved phase-building saw the reigning champions march forwards, and they stung Rosser's charges with the